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Fall 2024: Exploring Recombination Rate Evolution Through Placental Mammal Comparative Genomics

Affiliations: Genetics & Genomics Research Leadership
Project Leader: Isabella Childers
ichilde@tamu.edu
Veterinary Integrative Biosciences
Faculty Mentor: William Murphy, Ph.D.
Meeting Times:
TBD
Team Size:
4
Open Spots: 0
Special Opportunities:
Students will have the opportunity to dig into past and current research and develop their bioinformatic and presentation skills. There may be opportunities in the future to present findings at local conferences.
Team Needs:
We are looking for highly motivated and determined students interested in mammalian evolution. Basic knowledge of genetics and meiotic recombination is preferred.
Description:
Meiotic recombination is the exchange of DNA between a pair of homologous chromosomes, one set that comes from the mother and the other from the father. The meiotic recombination rate (i.e., the frequency of crossovers) is known to vary across species, populations, sexes, and chromosomes. Previous literature has identified genes in recombination rate extremes, such as immune-related genes in regions of elevated recombination in humans and bats. However, there is a lack of studies that compare gene content that differs in recombination rate between species (e.g., one gene is in a region of low recombination rate in one species while high in another). In this project, team members will investigate genes between placental mammals with opposing recombination rates. Bioinformatic tools and literature searches will be used to elucidate any patterns from these sets of genes that could help provide insight into specific adaptations connected to a mammalian species or lineage.

Written by:
América Soto-Arzat
Published on:
August 9, 2024

Categories: FullTags: Fall 2024

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